James Pipes (November 10, 1840 – December 1, 1928) was an American soldier who fought with the Union Army in the American Civil War. Pipes received his country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for actions taken on July 2, 1863 during the Battle of Gettysburg.
James Milton Pipes | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | November 10, 1840 Morrisville, Pennsylvania, US |
| Died | December 1, 1928 (aged 88) Washington, D.C., US |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service |  United States Army |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit |  Company A 140th Pennsylvania Infantry |
| Battles / wars | Battle of Gettysburg American Civil War |
| Awards |  Medal of Honor |
Civil War service
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On August 18, 1862, Pipes enlisted with a volunteer unit from Greene County that would become part of the 140th Pennsylvania Infantry. This unit was created by five men in western Pennsylvania, among them James J. Purman who would go on to win the Medal of Honor alongside Pipes. When the 140th was mustered, Pipes was ranked a sergeant, and Purman a second lieutenant.[1]
In 1863, the 140th Pennsylvania Infantry fought in the Battle of Gettysburg. On the first day of battle, July 1, Pipes and Purman were on a path of retreat when they doubled back to help save a wounded soldier. After getting the soldier to safety, both men were shot in the legs. Pipes was captured by the Confederates, but was liberated by Union troops the next morning. After spending some time in a Philadelphia hospital, Pipes was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant.[2] He returned to the field in November.[1]
After Gettysburg, Pipes served in the Siege of Petersburg where he was promoted to captain in June 1864. On August 24, Pipes was commanding a group of soldiers guarding a section of enemy train tracks and was attacked by enemy troops. As he commanded his troops' retreat, his right arm was shot and had to be amputated that night. He was hospitalized through November, and was discharged for disability in February 1865.[1]
Medal of Honor citation
editThe President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Captain James Milton Pipes, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 2 July 1863, while serving with Company A, 140th Pennsylvania Infantry, in action at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. While a sergeant and retiring with his company before the rapid advance of the enemy, Captain Pipes and a companion stopped and carried to a place of safety a wounded and helpless comrade; in this act both he and his companion were severely wounded. A year later on 25 August 1864, at Reams Station, Virginia, while commanding a skirmish line, Captain Pipes voluntarily assisted in checking a flank movement of the enemy, and while so doing was severely wounded, suffering the loss of an arm.[3]
Personal life
editAfter the war, Pipes moved to Wheeling, West Virginia, where his family had relocated during the war. In December 1869 he received an artificial arm. The following year he married Martha Rowena Purdy and had five children by her.[1]
Pipes died of pneumonia in 1928 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e "Honorees from Greene Co never stopped leading". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 30 June 2013. p. 47 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Beyer, Walter F.; Keydel, Oscar Frederick (1903). Deeds of Valor: how America's Heroes Won the Medal of Honor: A History of Our Country's Recent Wars in Personal Reminiscences and Records of Officers and Enlisted Men who Were Rewarded by Congress for Most Conspicuous Acts of Bravery on the Battle-field, on the High Seas and in Arctic Explorations ... Perrien-Keydel Company.
- ^ "James Pipes - Recipient". valor.militarytimes.com. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
